FREQUENCY OF HYPOTHYROIDISM IN PATIENT WITH BETA THALASSEMIA MAJOR

Main Article Content

Maria Younas
Madiha Younas
Ayesha
Mubina Aziz

Keywords

Hypothyroidism, beta thalassemia, pediatric patients, monitoring.

Abstract

Background: Hypothyroidism is a frequently seen result of beta thalassemia. The objective of this research was to assess the prevalence of the phenomenon and examine its associations with patient features and the duration of transfusions.


Objective: the goal of this cross-sectional study at the Thalassemia Centre was to ascertain the frequency of hypothyroidism among 72 pediatric patients with beta thalassemia major, as well as any associations with age, transfusion duration, and serum ferritin.


Study design: A cross-sectional study.


Duration and place of study: The department of pediatrics Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi from 05-July 2023 to 05-Dec 2023


Methods:  There are seventy-two patients with significant beta thalassemia. The mean age of the patients was 11.72 ± 4.03 years. n=72 patients (65.3%), with 34.7 percent of the female and male both patients being 6 to 13-year. Participants in this cross-sectional research gave information on their demographics, serum ferritin, T4, TSH, and duration of transfusion at the Thalassemia Centre. For the analysis, SPSS version 26.0 was used. Of the participants, N-4 (13.8%) had overt hypothyroidism, while N-25 (86.2%) had subclinical hypothyroidism, which accounted for N-62 (86.1%). The patient's age and the length of the transfusion had a significant correlation with the prevalence of hypothyroidism. To sum up, prompt management of hypothyroidism and consistent observation are essential for enhancing the well-being of people with beta thalassemia major.


Results: The research included 72 pediatric patients who were diagnosed with beta thalassemia major. The patients' average age was 11.72 ± 4.03 years, with a significant number of male (65.3%) and female patients (34.7%). Among the male patients, the age range changed into 06 to 12 years, while female patients were between 6 and 13 years old. Of the 72 pediatric patients included in the study, 29 (40.3%) have been diagnosed with hypothyroidism. Among these, 25 patients (86.2%) exhibited subclinical hypothyroidism, characterized by way of regular T4 levels with elevated TSH levels. Only four patients (13.8%) were diagnosed with overt hypothyroidism, offering with low T4 levels in conjunction with higher TSH levels.


Conclusion: The study highlights the significance of regular surveillance and prompt intervention for hypothyroidism in pediatric individuals diagnosed with beta thalassemia major, with a particular focus on its notable correlation with patient age and length of transfusion.

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